Press Releases

Activities to celebrate World Wetlands Day
Monday, January 29, 2001

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) will join hands with four green groups to organise a series of activities from Friday (February 2) to celebrate the World Wetlands Day.

World Wetlands Day 2001, which is on February 2, also marks the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands in the Iranian city of Ramsar (Ramsar Convention).

AFCD Senior Wetland Park Officer Mr So Ping-man said today (January 29), "Hong Kong and other members of the Ramsar Convention will celebrate the occasion around the theme: 'Wetland World - A World to Discover'.

"Mai Po and Inner Deep Bay areas have been listed as a 'Wetland of International Importance' under the Ramsar Convention in 1995. This Ramsar site is one of the seven Ramsar sites in China and supports over 100,000 migratory birds each year.

"We hope the celebration activities will help to raise public awareness of the values, benefits and conservation of wetlands."

"The celebration programmme in Hong Kong will be kicked off on Friday (February 2) with a Wetland Roving Exhibition organised by AFCD at Tin Shing Court, Tin Shui Wai. The roving exhibition will also be held at three other housing estates later the month," he added.

On the other hand, AFCD and the Tai Po Environmental Association will co-organise a Wetland Photo Contest for the public, and a Wetland Drawing Competition for primary school students on February 24 at Mai Po.

Members of the public are also invited to take part in a Clean Mikania Action co-organised by AFCD and The Conservancy Association at Tsim Bei Tsui on February 18.

Students from 20 secondary schools will join bird watching briefings and practical sessions to be held on February 3 and 10. A Bird Watching Race, jointly organised by AFCD and the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society, will take place at Mai Po on February 17.

In addition, AFCD and the World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong will arrange a visit, "Discover Deep Bay Wetland" for secondary school teachers and villagers living around the Ramsar Site on February 7 and 25 respectively to increase their understanding of this 'Wetland of International Importance'.

For enquiries, please call AFCD Wetland and Fauna Conservation Division on 2150 6990.